In this paper, the finite element analysis for stress/deformation/modes of vibration for the centrifugal fan impeller with constant thickness backward-curved blades using CATIA software will be presented. The principal steps of the finite element analysis procedure using CATIA/Generative Structural Analysis environment will be presented: creating the 3D model; configuring the mesh; applying the restraints; applying the loads; running the numerical static analysis and the numerical frequency analysis; interpreting the results and observing the modes of vibration correlating with the impeller mode shape. This procedure will be used for 4 different centrifugal fan impellers according with the 4 blade design methods and the results will be comparatively analyzed. For each design method, two materials will be used: steel with density of 7860 kg/m3 and aluminium with density of 2710 kg/m3. Two important results have been obtained after the structural analysis: under the working conditions considered for the analysis, all 4 blade design methods leads to impellers with very good mechanical behaviour; any frequency of the main modes of vibrations for all blade design methods and for both materials is not in phase with the impeller speed, thus the possibility of resonance being eliminated.
Structural analysis of three-dimensional finite element model to design multifunction wheelchair for patients
